How to Compare Canadian Customs Brokerage Companies
While you can prepare your own customs documentation, this is complex and time consuming, and you may think it more cost-effective to have a customs brokerage transact this area of business for you. Canadian customs brokers are licensed, regulated and empowered by the Canada Border Services Agency to assist importers and exporters in meeting the legal requirements governing goods entering and leaving the country through its air, sea, rail and land ports. Finding a reliable and reasonably-priced brokerage is an important business consideration and you should compare brokers, before entering into business with a specific brokerage.
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Instructions
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Contact the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers. This independent organization seeks to uphold high standards of professionalism in the brokerage industry in Canada. It has more than 160 corporate members and 3,300 Certified Customs Specialist members. The organization can provide a list of brokers from which you can make a selection. The list is also available at its website.
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Check with the nearest Better Business Bureau (see resource 3) to where the brokerages are located, to see if it has received any complaints or recommendations about the specific brokerages you are thinking of using.
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Ask business contacts for their recommendations as to brokerages they have used. A word-of-mouth recommendation from a trusted source can be very helpful in assisting you to determine which one to use.
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Compare the fees for like services of the brokerages on your shortlist. Check with them to see what incentives or discounts they can offer you as a new customer. Based on your specific needs, you should also find out if they offer ancillary services such as warehousing and freight forwarding. It may be more cost-effective to procure these services from one vendor as opposed to multiple sources.
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Educate the brokerage in the specifics of your business or single transaction, prior to entering into a contract. You want to be sure that the brokerage can fulfill your needs, particularly if you have a deadline to meet. For example, if you are importing a classic car from Europe to Canada to exhibit in a car show on a specific date, make sure that the broker knows the date and feels that the deadline can be met. Customs processing can be very time consuming and there may be many reasons that the Canada Border Services Agency delays your cargo. The brokerage will not be able to guarantee specific delivery dates.
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Tips & Warnings
Be aware that the Canada Border Services Agency holds the importer or exporter responsible for all matters relating to his transactions. It is important to ensure that your brokerage has completed all necessary transactions accurately and completely and that they have paid any duty owed or penalties. If the brokerage fails at any point, you will be held liable and not the brokerage.
Do not confuse the government's duty and tax fees with the brokerage's fees. These are two entirely separate matters.
References
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